Ypip, marshal of the Empire, facing the horde!

When the barbarians defeated the Eastern Imperial Army, the emperor ran away. As a last gesture of contempt against his people, he made a slave boy a Marshal of the Empire.

But the kid faced the enemy in battle, and the gods who had despaired of the Emperor, shone on the feeble kid.

Oh, and the armorers went for a light kit for the kid, with a lovely wolf helmet, a shield you could discard in case of need, and a combo of gambeson + breastplate. This wouldn't be too heavy on the light shoulders.